Programme Specialist - Women's Economic Empowerment (WEE)

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as part of the United Nations reform agenda, aimed at consolidating resources and mandates to enhance the impact of gender equality and women's empowerment initiatives. The organization merges the efforts of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender issues, namely DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW, and UNIFEM. UN Women operates globally, with a mission to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, empower women, and achieve equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. The organization is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, ensuring that recruitment, training, and promotion are based on qualifications and competence, regardless of race, religion, gender identity, or other characteristics. UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that contradicts its objectives, including sexual exploitation and abuse, and discrimination. The organization is involved in various initiatives worldwide, particularly in regions affected by conflict and crisis, such as Ukraine, where it focuses on addressing the specific challenges faced by women and girls due to the ongoing war and its socio-economic impacts.

Job Overview:
The Programme Specialist for Women's Economic Empowerment (WEE) will play a crucial role in leading the planning, implementation, and management of UN Women's WEE interventions in Ukraine. This position is vital in addressing the economic challenges faced by women, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict, which has exacerbated issues such as unemployment and the gender pay gap. The specialist will work closely with various stakeholders, including government officials, civil society, and private sector partners, to promote women's access to the labor market, especially in male-dominated sectors. The role involves designing and developing program strategies, managing the implementation of WEE programs, providing technical assistance, and ensuring effective monitoring and reporting of program outcomes. The specialist will also be responsible for building partnerships and resource mobilization strategies to support the expansion of WEE initiatives, contributing to inter-agency coordination, and managing advocacy and communication efforts related to women's economic empowerment.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Design and develop program strategies in the area of Women's Economic Empowerment (WEE), including formulating project proposals and drafting inputs for country strategy documents.
• Manage the implementation of the WEE program by finalizing work plans and budgets, overseeing technical implementation, and ensuring synergies with other teams.
• Provide technical assistance and capacity development to project partners, identifying their needs and coordinating training initiatives.
• Monitor and report on WEE program implementation, writing quarterly and donor reports focusing on results and outcomes.
• Manage the financial resources of the WEE program, including budget management and drafting financial reports.
• Build partnerships and develop resource mobilization strategies, analyzing donor opportunities and preparing briefs for cooperation.
• Contribute to inter-agency coordination on WEE, ensuring alignment with other partners' efforts.
• Manage advocacy and communication efforts, developing strategies and representing UN Women in relevant meetings.
• Perform other duties as necessary for the efficient functioning of the office and organization.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree or equivalent in economics, finance, social sciences, human rights, gender/women's studies, international development, or a related field. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. A project/programme management certification is considered an advantage. Candidates should have at least 5 years of progressively responsible work experience at the national or international level in the design, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of development projects, with a focus on women's economic empowerment. Technical experience in this area is required, along with proficiency in office software and web-based management systems. Experience in liaising with government agencies and donors is desirable, as is experience working within the UN system and familiarity with modern web-based ERP systems, preferably Oracle Cloud.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master's degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as economics, finance, social sciences, human rights, gender/women's studies, or international development. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. A project/programme management certification would be an added advantage, enhancing the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
The position requires at least 5 years of progressively responsible work experience at the national or international level in the design, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of development projects. Candidates should have technical experience specifically in women's economic empowerment, as well as proficiency in using computers and office software packages. Experience in coordinating and liaising with government agencies and donors is desirable, along with a background in the UN system and familiarity with modern web-based ERP systems, preferably Oracle Cloud.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of another official UN language, such as French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish, is considered desirable and may enhance the candidate's profile.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Kyiv, Ukraine, and involves leading a team of 4-6 personnel, including programme analysts and an associate. The role is full-time and may require the incumbent to engage in various inter-agency coordination activities. Candidates should be prepared for rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. UN Women emphasizes the importance of completing all sections of the application form to avoid disqualification from the recruitment process.